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He noticed a shape at the bottom of the baby pool and dived in, bringing Rocco to the surface before screaming for help.

A lifeguard and another member of the public gave him CPR until paramedics arrived.

Sadly, despite lifesaving efforts, the child was transferred to hospital, where he died.

Steve, who now lives in Leeds but regularly visits family on Teesside, told The Gazette: “It’s every parent’s worst nightmare and it came true.

“Rocco was scared of water so we don’t understand what’s happened. We think he’s either slipped or climbed in.”

Mr McLoughlin said pathologist Dr Kirsten Hope had carried out a post mortem examination at St James’s University Hospital on April 24 but she concluded that ‘the cause of death must await further tests’.

Mr McLoughlin adjourned the inquest and said a date for the hearing ‘will be confirmed in due course’.